US Politics

President vetoing acts of legislation passed by congress

Obama vetoed the Keystone XL pipeline and issued 12 vetoes during his premierships.

President vetoing acts of legislation passed by congress

Obama vetoed the Keystone XL pipeline and issued 12 vetoes during his premierships.

Example of president making threat to veto

Obama made four during his state of the union address in 2015

On stiffer Iran restrictions, dilution of the affordable care act, loosening Wall Street oversight and the tightening of immigration control.

Example of president making threat to veto

Obama made four during his state of the union address in 2015

On stiffer Iran restrictions, dilution of the affordable care act, loosening Wall Street oversight and the tightening of immigration control.

Example of a President signing a law

Biden's signing of a same-sex marriage bill, codifying federal protections for same-sex marriage

Example of a President signing a law

Biden's signing of a same-sex marriage bill, codifying federal protections for same-sex marriage

Example of executive order

Trump banned travel from several majority Muslim countries, though eventually overturned by the Supreme Court.

Example of executive order

Trump banned travel from several majority Muslim countries, though eventually overturned by the Supreme Court.

Example of declaration of war bypassing congress and the war powers act 1974 giving congress that power.

Bush ordering invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq in 2001 and 2003 respectively.

Example of declaration of war bypassing congress and the war powers act 1974 giving congress that power.

Bush ordering invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq in 2001 and 2003 respectively.

President nomination of federal justices

Obama appointed Sonya Sotomayor and Elena Kagan

Trump appointed, Amy Coney-Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch.

Biden appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson.

President nomination of federal justices

Obama appointed Sonya Sotomayor and Elena Kagan

Trump appointed, Amy Coney-Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch.

Biden appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson.

President issuing a pardon or commutation

Gerald Ford pardoning his predecessor Nixon.

Obama commuted 330 sentences on his last day in office.

President issuing a pardon or commutation

Gerald Ford pardoning his predecessor Nixon.

Obama commuted 330 sentences on his last day in office.

Congress overturning a veto through a supermajority (2/3s of congress)

Congress overturned Obama's veto of justice against sponsors of terrorism act in 2016.

End of presidency, lame duck?????

Congress overturning a veto through a supermajority (2/3s of congress)

Congress overturned Obama's veto of justice against sponsors of terrorism act in 2016.

End of presidency, lame duck?????

Senate rejecting a presidential appointment

2013, senate blocked Obama's appointment of Robert Wilkins to the District of Columbia court of appeals.

In late 2016, Mitch McConnell called any appointment null and void after Scalia's death, despite Obama having justice Merrick Garland lined up.

The last Supreme Court nominee to be rejected was Robert Bork in 1987.

Senate rejecting a presidential appointment

2013, senate blocked Obama's appointment of Robert Wilkins to the District of Columbia court of appeals.

In late 2016, Mitch McConnell called any appointment null and void after Scalia's death, despite Obama having justice Merrick Garland lined up.

The last Supreme Court nominee to be rejected was Robert Bork in 1987.

Senate threatening rejection of presidential appointment

Biden selection of Neera Tandem as director of the office of management and budget in 2020. When it became clear she would not pass the senate, her nomination was withdrawn in March 2021.

Senate threatening rejection of presidential appointment

Biden selection of Neera Tandem as director of the office of management and budget in 2020. When it became clear she would not pass the senate, her nomination was withdrawn in March 2021.

Congress use of power of the purse to turn down presidential requests for funding.

Congress rejected Trump on multiple occasion over funding for the border wall.

Congress use of power of the purse to turn down presidential requests for funding.

Congress rejected Trump on multiple occasion over funding for the border wall.

Congress declining to pass legislation proposed by the president.

Congress ignored Obama's request for gun control post several mass shootings.

Congress similarly ignored Trump's proposed healthcare reforms.

Congress declining to pass legislation proposed by the president.

Congress ignored Obama's request for gun control post several mass shootings.

Congress similarly ignored Trump's proposed healthcare reforms.

Example of impeachment

Trump has been impeached twice (2019 and 2021). On both occasions he was not convicted.

More damaging to reputation

Example of impeachment

Trump has been impeached twice (2019 and 2021). On both occasions he was not convicted.

More damaging to reputation

Senate refusal to ratify a treaty

Senate failed to ratify the convention on right of persons with disabilities in 2012, 61-38 not meeting the 2/3s required.

Senate refusal to ratify a treaty

Senate failed to ratify the convention on right of persons with disabilities in 2012, 61-38 not meeting the 2/3s required.

Congress launching investigation into presidential actions.

In 2019, the house oversight and reform committee launched investigation into a potential conflict of interest over increase US air force spending on refuelling at a Scottish airport near a resort one day Trump, the airport was integral to the viability of the resort.

Congress launching investigation into presidential actions.

In 2019, the house oversight and reform committee launched investigation into a potential conflict of interest over increase US air force spending on refuelling at a Scottish airport near a resort one day Trump, the airport was integral to the viability of the resort.

Congress impeachment of federal justice

In 2010, a Lousiana federal judge, Thomas Porteous was impeached and removed for corruption

Congress impeachment of federal justice

In 2010, a Lousiana federal judge, Thomas Porteous was impeached and removed for corruption

Congress leading a constitutional amendment to override the Supreme Court.

1896, the Supreme Court found national income tax unconstitutional, 16th amendment was ratified to overcome this.

Attempts have been made since to pass amendments banning flag-burning and prayer instate schools, though unscuccessful.

Congress leading a constitutional amendment to override the Supreme Court.

1896, the Supreme Court found national income tax unconstitutional, 16th amendment was ratified to overcome this.

Attempts have been made since to pass amendments banning flag-burning and prayer instate schools, though unscuccessful.

The Supreme Court ruling presidential actions unconstitutional

Hamdan v Rumsfeld (2006), the court ruled against special military commissions set up by George W Bush to try suspected members of Al Qaeda.

Trump faced cases involving his tax and financial records in 2020, the court ruled that the president doesn't enjoy absolute immunity to state subpoenas.

Bush V Gore- decided the election

US V Nixon, forced Nixon to hand over tapes as part of the Watergate scandal

The Supreme Court ruling presidential actions unconstitutional

Hamdan v Rumsfeld (2006), the court ruled against special military commissions set up by George W Bush to try suspected members of Al Qaeda.

Trump faced cases involving his tax and financial records in 2020, the court ruled that the president doesn't enjoy absolute immunity to state subpoenas.

Bush V Gore- decided the election

US V Nixon, forced Nixon to hand over tapes as part of the Watergate scandal

The Supreme Court ruling an act of congress unconstitutional

In 2013, the defence of marriage act was ruled unconstitutional by United States V Windsor, marking a major advance for legalisation of same sex marriage.

In 1990, the Supreme Court opposed congressional legislation banning Guns in certain zones. SC originally said was wrong as they were regulating lone state commerce, not covered under the commerce clause.

Congress then circumvented this by adding to the law that the prosecutor must prove the gun has travelled across state lines (almost all have) as to make it covered by the commerce clause and making the law constitutional.

The Supreme Court ruling an act of congress unconstitutional

In 2013, the defence of marriage act was ruled unconstitutional by United States V Windsor, marking a major advance for legalisation of same sex marriage.

In 1990, the Supreme Court opposed congressional legislation banning Guns in certain zones. SC originally said was wrong as they were regulating lone state commerce, not covered under the commerce clause.

Congress then circumvented this by adding to the law that the prosecutor must prove the gun has travelled across state lines (almost all have) as to make it covered by the commerce clause and making the law constitutional.

Representation in the 118th congress

Men- 72% in congress, 49% in wider population

Women- 28% in congress, 51% in wider population

Black- 11% in congress, 14% wider population

Hispanic- 10% in congress, 19% in wider population.